Yellowknife (Dec 01/04) - The fourth annual Festival of Trees lit up the night this past weekend to the delight of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation and assembled guests.

The fundraiser did what it does best: make money for the hospital.

Auctioneer Tony Whitford keeps the bidding going at the Festival of Trees Gala auction. - Terry Kruger/NNSL photo

With expanded seating at the gala dinner and deep-pocketed bidders at the auction, the foundation stands poised to realize its goal of five new scopes for Stanton Territorial Hospital -- a dream almost two years in the making.

The total numbers still aren't in, but the foundation's executive director Linda Bussey was optimistic that the Festival of Trees will put the foundation over the $200,000 needed for Operation Looking Glass.

The project kicked off on Valentine's Day 2003 to raise money for the scopes, meant to reduce invasive and costly surgery at Stanton hospital.

"It was great, super," Bussey said of the turn-out.

"By the comments we're getting people were really impressed with the event."

Among the highlights was a $25,000 donation from Laurelton Diamonds and a tree auctioned off for $12,500 -- a new record for the event.

Five goody-laden trees were auctioned off altogether, along with five doors painted by Yellowknife artists and a variety of other special items.

The live auction raised $35,000.

"All the auction items went really well," said Bussey.

The gala had room for 720 guests -- way up from last year's 300 -- and the event was booked to capacity.

Saturday's breakfast with Santa and other activities were also very popular.

"We must have seen over a thousand people (on Saturday)," said Bussey. "At one point you couldn't even walk."

Since 1997, the foundation has purchased a CT scanner and an incubator, among other things, for the hospital.

"We go with what the hospital needs to provide better health care," Bussey said of the selection process.